"It's not right for taxpayer money to be paying for somebody's drug addiction," Scott told CNN's T.J. Holmes on Sunday. "On top of that, this is going to increase personal responsibility, personal accountability. We shouldn't be subsidizing people's addiction."

But the ACLU of Florida, which has already filed suit against Scott over a measure requiring government employees to undergo random drug testing, disagrees, and may sue over the welfare law as well.

"What (Scott) is doing is giving ugly legitimacy to an unfortunate stereotype that has been in this country for a couple of decades -- that all welfare recipients are a bunch of drug abusers," said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida.

Scott told CNN he wants to ensure that welfare funds go to their primary target -- to disadvantaged children -- and provide people with an incentive not to use drugs. He signed the measure on June 1, calling it "the right thing for taxpayers."

Under the law, which takes effect on July 1, the Florida Department of Children and Family Services will be required to conduct the drug tests on adults applying to the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The aid recipients would be responsible for the cost of the screening, which they would recoup in their assistance if they qualify.

Those who fail the required drug testing may designate another individual to receive the benefits on behalf of their children, and do not receive a refund for the test.

Shortly after the bill was signed, five Democrats from the state's congressional delegation issued a joint statement attacking the legislation, one calling it "downright unconstitutional.""Governor Scott's new drug testing law is not only an affront to families in need and detrimental to our nation's ongoing economic recovery, it is downright unconstitutional," said Rep. Alcee Hastings. "If Governor Scott wants to drug test recipients of TANF benefits, where does he draw the line? Are families receiving Medicaid, state emergency relief, or educational grants and loans next?"

"I work for the ACLU, and it's our job to prevent trampling on the constitutional rights of people," Simon said. The Constitution mandates that searches cannot be conducted without probable cause, he said.

Controversy over the measure was heightened by Scott's past association with a company he co-founded that operates walk-in urgent care clinics in Florida and counts drug screening among the services it provides. In April, Scott, who had transferred his ownership interest in Solantic Corp. to a trust in his wife's name, said the company would not contract for state business, according to local media reports.

Asked about the company Sunday, Scott said he is in the process of selling his family's interest in the company and "it will be sold in a couple of weeks." There is no conflict of interest, he said.On May 18, the Florida Ethics Commission ruled that two conflict-of-interest complaints against Scott were legally insufficient to warrant investigation, and adopted an opinion that no "prohibited conflict of interest" existed.

MOST HELPFUL POSTS

Lacye - posted on 06/05/2011

2,011

31

160

I am on food stamps and to be honest, I don't have a problem with it. Neither my husband nor I use drugs so we really don't have anything to worry about. I don't see where it's not fair. I believe that if you want government assistance, you should follow by that government's rules.

Sharon, i saw that documentary and i must have missed the part where they were all on state assistance, but just because someone has a drug problem doesn't mean they are "employable" some of them would need the assistance with or without the drugs. Also who is to say that this third party is going to do what is best for the children. Who decides that. So now what, the persons who need assistance for themselves have to starve and do without because they have an addiction. Some people are on the application as much as their children are. I don't see this helping as much as hurting. Im also concerned that some rights are being trampled on and it is a slippery slope. I also dont see it working well as the person will just go ahead sign the benefits over to a friend who will still just give them the money. There are programs for drug abusers of course..have you seen the waiting list for them. Some people have been in programs and have relapsed. I am just wary of laws like this and especially ones from people who have other motives, like making money by shredding the rights of poor americans...im just saying.

It seems like this topic has been covered pretty well, but...I thoroughly disagree with the idea of testing all welfare recipients for drug use. We are innocent until proven guilty in this country, and we are not to be subject to unreasonable search, etc...I think that these laws are unconstitutional. I would be willing to entertain drug testing with prior history or reasonable cause with a warrant...but simply drug testing poor people who need help? Collecting public aid is already humiliating without having that type of suspicion/label on ALL of them too...

198 Comments

But a lot of people on welfare are not on drugs.... as was shown in Florida's testing.

This whole topic just annoys me, so I don't know why I keep coming back to it. ;) I wish that drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes just didn't exist. Now THAT would solve the drug problem for free.... if it were actually possible to eliminate those things from existence. lol

Sorry you miss understood me, didn't mean it to come out like that. What I meant was people on full welfare support do get stuck in a rut and can't get out of it. Ot is harder for them. So if you are drug tested on application you can get the help then, or you get pull up on the random test you can get help then too. I not talking about working because thats a hole new topic.

I would just like people to stop assuming that everyone on welfare is also on drugs.

How about we drug test every single parent on the planet.... regardless of their financial status? If the goal is to protect the kids.... don't just target people who need financial assistance. Target every single human being that takes care of a kid. Is that long term enough for you?

Why do you social services are already helping heaps of children? Neglect! Through what? Drugs and alcohol. ....... how many of those parents are on welfare. More than the ones who are working. They get stuck in a rut and can't get out and don't want to ask for it either. This way thry have no choice or they will lose everything. You need to think about the long term goals not short term.

You want social services to go and randomly visit all welfare homes even though the system is already over maxed just trying to help the kids that are actually being neglected and abused? Are you going to shell out the extra taxes it's going to cost to hire TONS more people?

I've typed out several other paragraphs multiple times, but.... it's not worth it.

Mary,Actually it never occurred to me there would be a temperature control on the side of the urine container. Didn't matter to us, because my husband and I arent drug users.

It would be nice if social services would randomly visit welfare homes for drug tests and to view the living conditions of these children.

What would be more helpful is if the welfare recipients had no access to any cash.Rent, utilities, etc would all be on a card. Only payable to the recipients accounts. Barriers on the card for certain purchases...alcohol,cigs,restaurants,fast food etc.

Initially it would cost more, but it would quickly be a cost saving measure.They should also be providing proof they have applied for jobs. Have a signature and phone number of where they applied, for follow up.

Personally I don't think there is any hope for drug users. They and their friends/family think it is normal. The children should just be removed, until they are sober for 1 year.Kick them off welfare. Their family/ friends can look after them. When they get tired of having leaches suck their finances, they will kick them out...and possibly then straighten up their life.Tough love. At least the children have a chance to see what 'normal' is.

I've only just hoped on and have been reading through some of these posts. I think Drug testing is a good idea, they should bring it out in New Zealand. Like it was said before people who work have random drug tests, they don't have notice, it's just done. they should do that with people on welfare. There are many out there that spend their money on drugs and alcohol and the children are left unsupervised and hungry, it's wrong. In NZ you don't get food stamps with your benefit so it is a lot easier for parents to spend that money. I think NZ needs to change that too.

I understand that some people can't work and need assistance but that money is for living not drugs and alcohol. The people that need assistance while they look for work, if your taking drugs your not going to get a job if your drug tested.

Yes it might cost the government a bit more money to help these people kick the habit, get clean, sober up, but that in the long run helps your country be a better place with happier people, less crime, more motivation AND less people on welfare as they want to work.

I think Mary's point is that it pretty much disproved the huge stereotype that people living on welfare are drug addicts who are just abusing the system. Basically, through the program, which ran for less than a year, they proved that less than 3% of people on welfare were actively taking drugs. A number so small that even if they cut all the aid to those people, it would not cover the cost of testing--much less the cost of treatment for those people. A number so small that even if they cut all the aid to those who fail the drug test, and gave that aid to those who didn't, they couldn't give them enough to make a financial difference. (though I do feel they were being over charged on the testing)

In theory, it would be wonderful to be able to test people in order to identify them to receive help, but if we can't afford to help them, why bother identifying them? It is actually cheaper to let this small group continue to live on welfare.

That said, the moral thing to do would be to identify them and make sure they get help, but that would cost a lot more than we are currently spending, and it doesn't sound like most of the people in favor of the drug testing want to do it as a way to spend more money, they want to save money, which simply won't happen.

But, Kathryn - when that nurse from the insurance company came to your house, that too was scheduled, was it not? You too could have acquired someone else's urine.

There is no way to do random drug testing in people's homes - that would be even more cost prohibitive than Florida's program already is. How many times do you think that person (whom the state will have to pay, including gas/mileage expenses) will be unable to make contact when they show up unannounced? Not to mention, you'd probably have to pay two people for this, since many of these welfare recipients live in "unsafe" neighborhoods; as a nurse, I sure as hell wouldn't venture into many of these housing projects unaccompanied.

Sure, let's waste even more of the government's money on this - that sounds like a great idea!

They schedule tests? How convenient is that !!How about random, unscheduled tests.How about going to the homes and doing tests there, so they don't have time to acquire someone else's urine and strap the bag to the leg?I'll bet the families that actually failed, didn't get a reduction in benefits...because there were children living there, and they would be the real victims. Instead you have children with parents who are drunk/high and children basically left unsupervised.

When we were getting life insurance, the nurse came to our house, took the urine tests then..which has a temp guide on the bottle, so they knew it was fresh.Blood tests were also taken.

From the article, "From July through October in Florida — the four months when testing took place before Judge Scriven’s order — 2.6 percent of the state’s cash assistance applicants failed the drug test, or 108 of 4,086, according to the figures from the state obtained by the group. The most common reason was marijuana use. An additional 40 people canceled the tests without taking them.

Because the Florida law requires that applicants who pass the test be reimbursed for the cost, an average of $30, the cost to the state was $118,140. This is more than would have been paid out in benefits to the people who failed the test, Mr. Newton said.

As a result, the testing cost the government an extra $45,780, he said."

They need to do that where I live. There are so many drug users here that are on assistance here and then they go around begging money after they've blown the monthly assistance. They have so many excuses as to why they can't work either.I think more states should do the testing.

I think it is great. I have read many of the opinions here, this is simply my opinion. People who work get random drug tests. I work for my paycheck, I am not a drunk and don't do drugs, I pay into welfare, and I receive food assistance but do not receive a check..which is all a form of welfare. I welcome them to drug test me. I also live in HUD housing(income based housing), and I see ALOT of abuse of the system. People receiving housing and moving their boyfriends in (which can get them kicked out of the program because it is based on income and they don't claim their boyfriends income which is stealing from the HUD program), they sell their food stamps for cigarettes and beer..and yes..drugs..the average they get 50 cents on the dollar for their food stamps. I have lived here since October..that is 4 months. The women talk about this at the bus stop. all of it. complaining that they are getting evicted for stealing electric, being evicted because their boyfriend got violent, police were called and their banned boyfriend cost them their home. It is a sad, sad shame that the children suffer, but you see, the children suffer no matter what. they don't see the benefits of the food stamps. the boyfriends take the cash and then take off till gets close to the next check. The system is there to help people and their families get through rough times. I will not be here forever. I fell on hard times, I will work hard to get back to being on my feet again. But by God I welcome them to clean up some of the trash that is here! I am really tired of hearing, well, they should help them with the drug problems, they should help them if they cant pass a drug test. Really? really? How about..the ones who fail the test get cut off assistance, let em keep the medical card to get professional treatment. they are free to re-apply 3 months later with a passed test and proof from a treatment program that they completed treatment and receive necessary follow up help.. give em a second chance. if they refuse treatment, then make it a year before they can re-test or re-apply. if they blow it again, then their done. give someone else a chance to use the system the way it is supposed to be used..as assistance..not a life style! Why should it take 18 months on a waiting list for a family to get an affordable home when there are people illegally living in them and full blown abusing every aspect of the system? Good for you Florida. Test em. Hope it happens here in Ohio too. Whew, sorry..this is something that tears me up when I hear these ladies speak, like they are entitled to this, owed this help and freaking out that they got caught ..of course ..it isn't their fault..right?

Ask me if I care. If they didn't want comments, they would have closed the comment section. If they close it now, because they allowed comments, and just didn't like the response, that makes them pretty petty. If that is the case, who wants to bother contributing to this blog ....I will leave.

It will be closed when an admin/mod notices you bumped up a post over a year old.....

People don't generally lock EVERY post when they fall off the first few pages because most people will let an old post die and start a new one. Of course, the last post you started here got locked when it was new for a reason..... lol

If you don't do drugs you shouldn't have any problem getting tested. Alcohol is a drug and should also be included. Afterall, if you are under the influence, you are not taking care for the children. What happens if they test positive. Well, put them in a room with all the drugs and alcohol they want....I'm sure there is enough from drug raids.When or if they imerge,put them a detox room until they are clean. If they survive that, offer to sterilize them..and offer a monetary incentive. The children are removed from their care for a minimum of 12 months to friends or family members, as long as they are tested clean. Pay them to be foster parents. What happens to the clean parent now? That is up to them. They have this opportunity to get a job, and work their way to getting custody of their children as soon as they can look after them.Give them 6 months of welfare to get started. If they decide to lead a life of crime, we can also offer them free room and board aka prison.

I'm sick to death of whinging people who were " forced to take drugs". They have addictions to this and that. All they are, are reproducing parasites that create government jobs.

They should offer to sterilize everyone on welfare for free, and actually pay them. I'd support those payments.

I agree, BUT, what happens when people have a positive result and get kicked off of welfare? Where do they go to get the money for their drugs? My bet is crime will take a dramatic surge upwards.

I'm not suggesting the Taxpayer should support someones drug habit, but there has to be a safeguard i.e. more drug and alcohol clinics around before simply cutting their money supply off. There are bigger ramifications to this that need to be considered.

you know if it was at all cost efficient i might agree with it (drug testing everyone who uses tax money) , but i don't think it would be. i think this whole thing is a HUGE waste of money. money would be better spent on rehab for people convicted of drug crimes, education, and helping the factors that cause poverty in this country.

That's awesome! I'm on some state money and I'd be more than happy to pass a drug test. I honestly can't see the problem, if you aren't on drugs why would you care? It's illegal! Tax money shouldn't be going to illegal stuff!Case closed IMO.

I LOVE it! I was on state assisstance(more than once) and would have gladly peed in a cup! I now pee in a cup everytime my boss asks me to, why isn't that unconstatutional? And if you think that else where you are innocent until proven guilt, ask the people who are in jail awaiting trail for a year or more........

We are entitled to take drug tests for employment, so I don't see anything wrong with having to take a drug test to obtain state assistance. I have nothing to hide, and if that's what it takes then so be it. I live in Oregon, and was working making $11/hr which is above minimum wage, but not enough to live comfortably with the cost of rent, utilities, food, necessities, etc. When I was pregnant with my son, I was denied state health insurance for "making too much" and was paying $168/paycheck for insurance through my work. After my son was born, my insurance premium jumped to $292/pay check. With my gross pay per period being between $750-800, there's no way I could afford the premiums. So to allow my son to have insurance, I quit work, got my butt back in school, living off my school financial aid assistance and do not have any insurance myself. It's a sad reality, but I did what I had to because my son's health and well being is more important to me than anything. So, if it requires me to take a drug test to continue his health insurance, then I gladly will.

I think that's exactly how it should be. If i have to pass a drug test to get a job to support their lazy butt(not all are lazy, some try the best they can and actually NEED the help) then they need to pass one to receive the assistance. if they cannot pass one then they need to get into some sort of rehab program. I think every state should follow along. if they have the money for all the drugs keeping them from passing the test then that explains why they have no money for everything else so why should the tax payers do it for them?

Wow Dawn interesting perspective do you know my husband works 50hrs a wk and we still qualify for food stamps. So how exactly should we be embarrassed or lose privacy because we still work our butts off each week?? Although I don't even care if we were drug tested. We also are paying our fair share into paying taxes as well. We are also paying out $100 a week for insurance for just my husband and I. We never abuse the system and anything we need extra etc. comes out of our own pockets.

I agree..dawn no one should be embarrassed!! Remember humility and humbleness are the most important virtues one can have. Theres nothing embarrassing about asking for help no matter what kind. Another thing is we are in the biggest economicaly downfall ..there arent that many jobs.

Really Dawn?? People should be embarrassed to be on welfare??? I am 8 months pregnant with mine and my husband's second child and we have a 12 month old daughter, the asshole cheated on me, kept the whore in his life all while coming back home constantly lying to me and using me for sex and a free dinner basically, coming to our house (from his brothers where he's staying) telling me he loves me and wants to be with me more than anything in this world, then leaving here and calling or texting his girlfriend getting naked pictures from her and now that I found out ALL the truth I told him no more, and yet he's still with her and leaving me and his children behind, causing us to HAVE to turn to welfare (food stamps, WIC and medicaid) because I am 8 months pregnant and CAN'T get a job right now!!! I am going to do everything in my power to get back on my feet after, I will be nannying 3 other kids along with my 2 children and going to school so I can go back to work and be able to afford more than day care. I find that comment "people should be embarrassed to be on welfare" extremely offensive and just plain stupid. You do not know peoples situations, there are a lot of good people in bad situations like Ashley and I. Yes there are a TON of people who take advantage of the system and should get off their lazy asses and go find work but people who NEED the help should NOT be embarrassed about it. It's people like you that make it so embarrassing for us because you JUDGE us and NO ONE has the right to judge but God himself.

Couldn't agree with you more dawn! If other people are providing your resources and you aren't earning them, the govt should have a way of weeding out those abusing the system. If you aren't on drugs you should have no issue with it. Those people should be happy that maybe the junkies will be receiving less funding and that more money will be available for those that actually need it.

Americans are teaching people to depend too much on others. why work hard when someone else will work hard for me? I live In a BIG city and i see It all the time. We're becoming a socialist society and I don't like It. I already donate my money to a food bank. Well, not this year, our taxes are too high!

If you are embarrassed about It then get a job. People should be embarrassed to be on welfare, you're making everyone who pays enough taxes as it Is buy your food, clothes, pay your rent and pay for your free health care and you don't have to pay me back. so yeah, I hope every state in the U.S. gives every person on welfare a drug test.

For us being on welfare has been emotionally draining for us.Not having a job in the recession.Knowing that people look down on us.We are decent honest people who don't abuse the system and now they want to make us feel even lower by drug testing us.

I am just glad there not doing this were i live.

Although i am sure there are familys like us in FL who will feel the same.:-(

On the other hand i understand people use this money for drugs and they want to put a stop to it but making all of the other people on welfare get tested is humiliating i feel.

I strongly believe If you can't afford to take care of yourself and your children and need assistance from us tax payers (welfare), then you lose the right to privacy. I work hard for my money and so does my husband, he had 500 dollars In his pay check taken out In just taxes alone, that's every pay period. So, If you need our help you don't need to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or do drugs on our dime. If you aren't on welfare then It's none of my business. People on welfare should be taking care of their children and not be damaging their bodies with that crud.

I dont think people are seeing the bigger picture with this law. Whether you agree or disagree that welfare recievers should not be on drugs, this law is going against the constitution!!! We are innocent until proven guilty!!! Next time you are driving, an officer pulls you over. Youve got your kids with you and he asks you if youve been drinking or doing drugs? You say no, and most likely pissed that he would suggest that. Well he says your going down to the station bc he doesnt need a reason to drug test you. You are going to be pissed the f off. o and you have to pay for it. Second. You are talking about drug addicts? I dont think the test says "positive you are a drug addict" quit assuming things about people. Just because u can pass a drug test and get ur welfare doesnt mean this wont affect you. Tired of people only caring aboutwhats going on in their backyard :/

I think it is a GREAT idea!! I know in my town there's a lot of people who trade their food stamps for drugs! I think every state should do and it for every assitance program as well! I know there are a lot of people around here that are more than capable of working and are just too lazy to, or are too busy getting high to go out and find a job. I'm not saying everyone that gets assitance is like this, my daughter and I (for my 2nd pregnancy) are on medicaid, and get food assitance, because I have been a stay at home mom with her since she was born and my husband decided it'd be a good idea to cheat on me while I'm pregnant with our second child, and leave us, I have zero income and at 8 months pregnant can't go get a job so I actually NEED the help! And in the town we live in (which most people here disgust me!) there are SO many people that are just taking advantage of the assitance they can get and it's awful! I think everyone should be required to pass a drug test for sure!

I am personally all for this!! I currently receive food stamps since my job lost all its funding i lost my job. I never thought ide see the day when i needed food stamps, but im glad the help was there. I also know lots of other people who receive welfare/food stamps and i will admit that most of them are either drug addicts, or just people who dont want to get off there asses and get a job. This is not free money and i wish people would understand that it comes from the taxes that working individuals pay into the fund. The moment i get another job and onto my feet i will have my services cut so that another mom thats in my situation can get them. Ive also seen a number of illegal immigrants with fake papers getting welfare and using it to send stuff to there families in there countries. That drove me crazy. Dont get me wrong my parents came to this country the LEGAL way over 30 years ago and have never been on welfare a day in there lives. They worked up to 3 jobs each and i admire them for that. Not everyone can abandon the only country theyve ever known for an uncertain future in another country where you dont even know the language. Frankly i dont think i could do it. Anyway there needs to be more checks and balancesto this. Atleast in my area there are way too many people who are cheating the system, and it just not fair to those who really need and cant get it because there arent enough funds.

CJ the parents will still live with the kids in their home but, the money will be overseen by a case worker to make sure it goes to the right place.

So really nothing is held against these people for failing the test besides having to pay for it if they fail. Otherwise they'll still get their benefits, it's not like they're going to be kicked out of the system.

Okay...at first I was excited about the FL law. Now not sure...#1=marijuana users will be affected the most and it is the least harmful, stays in your system longer and less addictive. #2 RX users/addicts=if they have rx they slip by, more people use/abuse legal drugs. #3 cocaine, meth and crack=very addictive, you can test neg. in short time.#4=alcohol-is a drug/addictive, will they test for this, too?People sell their food assistance for alcohol as much if not more, than they do for drugs.Giving money/assistance for the kids sounds nice, but where do they live? If parent get no assistance they prob would be homeless....I'm guessing...hmmm ...Government assistance was meant to be used short term. A helping hand not a for ever thing.

As I've explained before in this thread, welfare is different here in the US compared to what you're used to in Canada. So your list does not apply.

I'm also not someone who just throws out ideas without knowing what I'm talking about. If you notice on any other threads, I'm always hesitant to come to a conclusion without all the facts presented. As I've said before, YES, I do know my community. I've also stated previously that I wish I had the "stats' but, if YOU lived here, you would know that it's a problem that my county suffers from which is discussed continually within our community and in the papers.

So you're saying that if there are 500 people on welfare in the place where you live, over 250 or so are drug users? That's a lot of drug users, considering people on welfare come from vastly different backgrounds, some are senior citizens with no pension, some are single moms or dads, some are widowers or widows, some people who are disabled and don't qualify for disability benefits. Some are middle age, some are young, some are old.Do you know these people personally? How do you *know* they are routine drug addicts? Have you seen them routinely using drugs while on welfare? Do you know for certain they receive a check each month in addition to their drug money?Just curious where your *stats* on your town come from.